Author: Andrew Taylor

THE East Grinstead Town Council has decided to take a step back from the process and take stock. Recently both the Mid Sussex District Draft Plan and Slaugham Neighbourhood Plan have experienced problems at examination resulting in delays in bringing the plans to fruition. The Town Councillors have read the reports of this and have a number of questions that they would like answering by the Department of Communities and Local Government and Mid Sussex District Council, concerning changing advice and guidance and how this would affect the emerging East Grinstead plan.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan working party and leader of the Council Rex Whittaker said “It seems sensible to slow down and wait until we know what is happening to the District Plan before we finalise our local plan. As the legislation is so new, with every new inspection there seems to be some big changes in advice and guidance. We want to ensure that the East Grinstead Plan has the best chance of coming through examination and delivering the plan that the town both wants and needs. But whilst we have a planning consultant retained, continuing to make changes as the advice emerges could result in a lot of work and cost that then needs unpicking. We are keen to get a plan in place, but it must be robust and we need confidence that it will stand up to examination.”

The Town Council website and the dedicated Neighbourhood Plan site will carry updates as will the Planning and Finance and General purposes Committees as the position becomes clearer and the time frame can again move forward. Cllr Whittaker emphasised “This is a prudent and pragmatic approach to ensure that the plan is developed robustly and correctly but is not a step away from this project which has a huge amount of resource dedicated to it in the past 2 years”.

The Rotary Club of East Grinstead Meridian are holding a Charity Video Race Night on Friday 28th March 2014 at Imberhorne Lower School at 7pm for 7.30pm to 10pm. It is to raise funds for the Kids Out Charity and also Rotary Charities.

Kids Out provides children with special needs with a fun day out at Chessington World of Adventures and last year over 1,200 children and 800 helpers from all over the South East had a great day out. Our fun evening will be raising the funds specifically to take children from the Manor Green School in Crawley on 11th June this year. Last year we raised in excess of £1,500 for this extremely rewarding cause and we hope to raise a similar amount this year.

For tickets please contact Bob Shaw 07860 761595

Over the past two months, Britain has been subjected to some severe weather. We have just had the wettest January in over 200 years and February has continued this trend. The Met Office now forecasts that more severe weather may hit our region this afternoon and persist throughout the rest of the week. UK Power Networks is therefore monitoring the weather extremely closely and maintaining its preparations in readiness for any impact on its network.

Weather Forecast

Today a National Severe Weather Warning has been issued across the whole of England and Wales for gale force winds.

For UK Power Networks’ regions, the Met Office forecasts wind speeds of 45-55mph in our South East network on the night of 12 February. There may also be gusts of up to 70mph on the coast. These winds are expected to move up to the more exposed areas of our Eastern network with gusts up to 60mph being predicted. The storm is expected to die down in the early hours of the morning of 13 February.

A band of heavy rain is also forecast for the afternoon of 12 February, moving eastwards across our networks, with up to 10mm of rainfall predicted. This will give way to more showery conditions by the evening.

Further severe weather is then forecast on the morning of 14 February, continuing through to 15 February. Gale force winds and heavy rain are forecast on 15 February, with gusts of up to 75mph expected across our both our Eastern and South Eastern networks.

Preparations

We are in the process of securing extra resources, including linesmen and scouts, to be mobilised for both the Eastern and South Eastern network areas. Calls are being made throughout the business and our contractors to find these extra resources.

Later today a conference call between all DNOs will be taking place to discuss the possibility of providing staff to assist in repairing the most affected networks. However, if the storm materialises and is, as currently forecast, a national event, it is likely that the extent of assistance that other DNOs can provide will be limited.

UK Power Networks’ specially trained staff, known as Customer Champions, have also been put on stand-by.

Contacting UK Power Networks

In communication with customers, we urge the public to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it to UK Power Networks.

To report any power cuts and damaged lines on free helplines, please refer customers to the following numbers: In the South East call 0800 783 8866 or 01243 50 8866 for mobile users and in the East of England call 0800 783 8838 or 01243 50 8838 for mobile users. You can also see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and follow the company on twitter for updates. 

Preparing for a power cut

Below is some advice on how our customers can prepare for a power cut:

• Keep our freephone number handy
• See the website for some useful videos offering you advice during a power cut.
• Keep spare batteries for radios and torches – local radio stations often broadcast helpful information
• Keep an old-fashioned corded phone which you can plug in, as cordless phones won’t work in the event of a power cut
• Dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
• Take care if using candles, tea-lights and other naked flames
• Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
• Switch off all your electrical equipment, except one light which will let you know when the power comes back on
• Remember the street lights may also be off so take care if you go out
• Look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them a flask of hot water round or hot food

Kind regards,

Stakeholder Engagement Team

UK Power Networks

EAST Grinstead Town Council set its budget and precept for 2014/15 on Monday night. The precept is set to rise by 2.5% to £68.71 per year per band D property. The annual rise ranges from £1.12 for a Band A to £3.37 for a Band H property. The annual Band D rise is £1.69.

Council Leader Rex Whittaker said: “The Council has lost £30,000 in real terms from its income this year as the District Council is not passing on the government grant to offset the effect of the local council tax reduction scheme. Passing this along could have meant a 4% increase on the tax however the Council has reserves and is looking to cushion this change by a modest increase this year.

“We are also going to take the opportunity to use some of the Council’s reserves to carry out longstanding repairs to the Council’s buildings. These need constant maintenance but investment is also necessary to ensure that they remain in public ownership and available for public hire.

“The Town Council services include graffiti removal/ public works for the County Council/ civic planting/ street furnishings/ town events and promotions. The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organizations; as the national picture contracts, support to the local community is essential through small grants.”

The total East Grinstead Town Council band D council tax, equates to less than £1.32 per week, comparing favourably with other consumer costs such as a family sized loaf of bread at £1.35.

TOP Elvis tribute act Fisher Stevens will be appearing at Chequer Mead on Friday 14 February, with a full live band – The CC Riders.

Fisher’s “Elvis” has won countless competitions both in Europe and the US.

His show features Elvis’s trademark jump-suits as he croons his way through the King’s chart-topping repertoire including Suspicious Minds, I just Can’t Help Believing, American Trilogy and Always On My Mind.

For a special Valentine’s evening combine your concert ticket with a meal at the theatre and Elvis will serenade you at your table.

For more details contact the Box office on 01342 302000.

For more information on any of these shows contact the box office on 01342 302000

Ardingly College Prep School presents Alice in Wonderland: Friday 7 February at 7pm and Saturday 8 February at 2:30pm

FOR the second year running, Ardingly College Prep School will be putting on their annual musical at Chequer Mead. This year’s is a stunning musical adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland written by Mike Carter and produced by Mary Spink.

The show follows Alice’s adventures as she makes her way through a magical world of make-believe, meeting such characters as the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and of course the terrifying Queen of Hearts.

Tickets £8 / £5.

The Upbeat Beatles  – Thursday 13 February at 7.30pm

IF you missed the Fab Four first time around, there’s a chance to recapture the magic of the Mersey beat on February 13 when the Upbeat Beatles come to Chequer Mead.

Four supremely talented performers in their own right, the Upbeat Beatles go on a Magical Mystery Tour of the songs that changed a generation, with 13 guitars and five costume changes.

The veteran tribute band have played for the Jordanian Royal Family, Hollywood film actor Michael Douglas, the Prime Minister of China and, more recently, The Lord Mayor of London, who said afterwards: “That’s the first time anyone has ever actually danced at this annual function…”

Tickets £17.50

Pavilion Café: Pre-theatre meals are available for this show. To book a table, call 01342 324860.

Fisher Stevens Presents Valentine’s Night With Elvis: Friday 14 February at 8pm

THE Elvis in Vegas show features the remarkable Fisher Stevens, a multi-award-winning tribute artist who has performed all over the world, including at Memphis during Elvis week 2013.

Elvis performed at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel 837 times between 1969 and 1976 and this vibrant tribute recalls that period in his career.

Tickets £16/concessions £15.

* Combine your Elvis in Vegas experience with a romantic two-course Valentine’s Dinner in the Pavilion Café, including being serenaded at your table by ‘The King’ himself. Combined meal and show ticket, £30 each.

ABBAMANIA: Saturday 15 February at 7.30pm

ABBA are still one of the most popular groups in the world and their record breaking songs continue to thrill new generations.

ABBAMANIA are widely regarded as the UK’s Top Tribute Show with countless sensational live performances throughout Europe to their credit.

So dust off your platforms, put on your flares and come and enjoy an unforgettable night with ABBAMANIA.

Ticket prices £17.50

Theo The Mouse in Magical Mayhem: Tuesday 18 February at 2pm

FROM the award-winning writer of TV favourites Sooty and Basil Brush comes the UK`s cleverest children`s character, Theo the Mouse. Join Theo direct from his sensational Blackpool season for this hilarious interactive show packed with magic, laughter and music for all the family.

Tickets £8.50.

Act One Beginners present Our House: 

20 February at 7.30pm

21 February at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

22 February at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

THIS British Olivier Award-winning musical is full of iconic songs by Madness.

Tickets £14/Concessions £11/ Family tickets £46/ 1 in 10 free.

Horse – Monday 24 February at 7.30pm

HORSE is a Scottish female singer-songwriter, with a huge fan-following in the UK and worldwide.

Noted for her rich, sonorous voice and songs which have been backdrops to lives, she can touch the coldest heart with one note. Her songs are devastating and uplifting, her voice stunning.

She has opened and toured with international artists like Tina Turner, BB King, Bryan Ferry and Burt Bacarach, and Will Young recently covered Careful, one of her best known songs.

Tickets £16/15.

The Blues Band:  Wednesday 26 February at 7.30pm

IF music matures like fine wine, 1979 was a vintage year. That’s when Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, from the hugely successful Manfred Mann, returned to their first love, the Blues.

They imagined their Blues Band, would simply earn some beer money. How wrong they were – the public were ready and waiting. Into their ranks came slide guitar ace and superb vocalist Dave Kelly, legendary ex-John Mayall drummer Hughie Flint, (replaced in 1982 by the renowned Rob Townsend of Family), with solid bass provided by Gary Fletcher. The Blues Band’s new studio album, Few Short Lines amply demonstrates the veneration of their peers. Bob Dylan’s keyboard accomplice Al Kooper plays on six tracks, Bruce Springsteen’s comrade Southside Johnny provides harmonica and vocals, all lavishly topped off by Paul Jones raunchily duetting with Linda Lewis, plus Dave Kelly’s pairing with Scotland’s soul queen, Maggie Bell.

Tickets £25.

Grin and Bare It – Comedy Club in the Pavilion: Thursday 27 February at 8pm

AN evening showcasing some of the best new talent on the London open mic scene, Grin and Bare It is a two hour show featuring 8 comedians of widely different style and humour.

MC Alice Frick introduces Colin Galletly, Funny Women finalist Rachel Gleaves, Steve Adam, Californian Lauren Karl, softly spoken Glaswegian Kyle Wallace, Alex Henry Buchanan-Dunlop and native Dubliner Wes Dalton.

Tickets £8.

THERE will be by-elections for East Grinstead’s Town North Ward, and the Crawley Down Ward of Worth Parish Council on 13 February.

These elections only concern registered electors in the two ward and residents of other areas in Mid Sussex will not be eligible to vote.

For any questions regarding the electoral process contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Services team on 01444 477003.